After 14½ years, Bare Hands Gallery will close the doors to its downtown art space.

An e-mail press release cited the present economy as the reason for the Dec. 30 closing, despite continued community support and strong programs.

Founded in 1996 by Jessica Helfrecht, Bare Hands has provided a venue for local visual artists. It was purchased in 2000 by Wendy Jarvis, who converted the gallery from a sole proprietorship to a nonprofit arts organization in 2004.

For eight years, it has hosted a Day of the Dead celebration, which included a design competition. That annual tradition, held each Nov. 2, will continue as a non-profit, Day of the Dead Alabama.

"My 10-year association with Bare Hands has been an extraordinary honor and labor of love," Jarvis wrote in the release. "My fond memories and BH friendships will last a lifetime."

Executive Director Kathleen Rose-Byington added, "I have been privileged to grow as an artist in the Bare hands family, to serve on its Board, and most recently to serve as its Executive Director. I look forward to watching the seeds Bare Hands has planted prosper and develop in new directions."

The gallery, which is located at 109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., has hosted more than 340 events, including exhibitions, performances, classes and lectures, and has established an after-school art club for children at the downtown YWCA.

"It has been such a great organization," said Gail Andrews, Birmingham Museum of Art's executive director. "Jessica Helfrecht and Wendy Jarvis have done many good shows over the years, and they're coming off a superlative year. They have been a positive and supportive home for artists."

Bare Hands' loss is a blow to the downtown contemporary art scene, which has seen continued growth in the past few years, Andrews said.

"We know what the arts and culture do for a city," said Andrews. "They are crucial to its vibrancy. We need those kinds of institutions in the city. We have such a good group of contemporary artists here. Losing Bare Hands to the city center is very sad."

Its final exhibition, titled "Shine 2010, Going Out with a BANG!" will run Dec. 3 through Dec. 30, and will be curated by Allison Bohorfoush, Marion Jones and Wendi Flowers Goodwin.